Aloft Shawlette

Aloft Shawlette by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport

What Is Being Made

The Aloft Shawlette is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a delicate, crescent-shaped shawlette that measures 18.5 inches at its widest point and stretches 60 inches in length after blocking. The finished piece showcases elegant lace patterning throughout, making it a sophisticated accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a lightweight wrap.

Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques characteristic of lace shawl construction. The Aloft Shawlette features an Eyelet Stripe pattern that creates openwork throughout the design. Key stitch techniques include:

• Yarn overs (yo) – used strategically to create the lace holes and decorative eyelets
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs for balanced lace
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that works in tandem with k2tog decreases to shape the shawlette and create symmetrical lace motifs
• Central Double Decrease – an advanced decrease technique referenced in the pattern abbreviations for more complex shaping
• Knit (k) – stockinette stitch sections that provide structure between lace repeats

The pattern uses repeating row sequences that alternate between plain knit rows and rows containing decreases and yarn overs. This creates the characteristic eyelet stripes visible throughout the finished shawlette. The repeating sections marked with asterisks (*) allow the lace pattern to expand as stitches are cast on, building the crescent shape.

Materials and Tools

The Aloft Shawlette requires 460 yards of fingering weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Periwinkle Sheep Watercolor Sock yarn in a periwinkle colorway, though any fingering weight yarn of comparable yardage and fiber content would work. Knitters will need Size 5 (3.75mm) circular or long straight needles measuring 24 inches or longer to accommodate the growing width of the shawlette during construction.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 30 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches when worked in the Eyelet Stripe pattern before blocking. After blocking – a crucial finishing step for lace shawls – the gauge adjusts to 24 stitches and 29 rows per 4 inches. This significant difference highlights the importance of blocking for achieving the intended finished dimensions of 18.5 inches wide by 60 inches long.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an advanced knitting project, the Aloft Shawlette is best suited for experienced knitters. The pattern requires comfort with lace knitting, understanding paired decreases and yarn overs, reading complex stitch patterns, and managing the blocking process essential for proper shawl finishing. The repeating lace pattern, while rhythmic once established, demands attention to stitch counts and pattern placement throughout construction.